Careers at Ecovative

Who We Are

Ecovative is a diverse group of engineers, scientists, production specialists, and innovators. Our team works hard to create sustainable materials for a brighter future in a fun and dynamic environment. We place significant value on the professional development of our employees and offer a competitive benefits package. Our people are collaborative, creative, and truly passionate.

Join the Team

Business Developer / Market Researcher

Ecovative Design is in search of an experienced Business Developer who through collaboration with our CEO and Program Leads will research, analyze, and capitalize on market opportunities for our structural composites in the interiors and building materials categories. This role will be responsible for finding, qualifying, and activating and supporting partners that would benefit from implementing Ecovative’s material solutions.

Our Business Development position will involve travel to visit prospects and customers, as well as exhibiting at trade events or other viable business opportunity events. Our materials are constantly advancing, and our R&D team is developing new materials with unique characteristics. You will also be responsible with selling prospects on development projects which push the boundaries of what is possible to manufacture today.

Our ideal candidate has these characteristics:

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field with a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a business development role; A minimum of five (5) years’ in lieu of education

Experience with market research and identifying market fit and viable customers and partnerships

Creative, and able to translate prospects needs and wants into Ecovative concepts using current manufacturing methods or using processes still under development

Fundamental understanding of structural materials

Flexibility and willingness to travel

Outgoing personality with strong ability to engage in meaningful one-on-one and group discussions

Superior organization and follow up skills

Experience using social media as a sales tool

A passion for sustainability

Established professional network preferred

Background in structural materials, building materials, or construction preferred

Genetics Research Scientist – Strain Engineering

Join our Genetics Research and Development team and be a part of the leading edge of microbial characterization and modification research at Ecovative. Grant-related projects and development of novel microbial systems are pursued through the analysis of biological communities, modification of microbial strains, and optimization of cultivation conditions and processes. The Genetics Research Scientist – Strain Engineering works in a supportive role with the Genetics Team with responsibilities including daily execution and maintenance of experimentation related to genetic engineering of fungal and bacterial strains, physical and chemical characterization of strains, maintenance of strain libraries. Specific responsibilities will include aseptic techniques, wild-type isolation, short and long-term strain preservation, PCR, bacterial and fungal transformation, plasmid design, Gibson assembly, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and use of HPLC. Additional duties will include material / reagent preparation for experimentation, use of industrial and laboratory equipment, observation / data collection with associated documentation, literature research, and cleaning lab spaces.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

Masters degree in Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or other related field and a minimum of two (2) years of relevant laboratory experience OR Doctorate degree in Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or other related field; experience in sub-cloning and strain engineering; expertise in cutting edge scientific techniques e.g., CRISPR, Next-Gen sequencing, RNA-Seq; exceptional organization skills; conscientious in the work place; attention to detail; strong observational skills; ability to hand mix materials; independently driven; team player. This role requires repetitive use of hands and arms on a routine basis.

BioProcess/Fermentation Engineer

Join our leading edge Research and Development team as BioProcess / Fermentation Engineer to collaborate with biologists and research scientists on research projects to develop new equipment for incubation and tissue generation.

This role will lead equipment design and fabrication projects, as well as oversee the implementation of new equipment within the Research and Development Manufacturing team. This role will assist with troubleshooting and maintaining existing custom built equipment, as well as perform daily hands-on fabrication.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with deep cross-platform knowledge of controlled environment biological materials manufacturing and incubator design, preferably specific to fermentation systems, especially solid state. Must have fundamental knowledge of thermal and fluid mechanics with proven ability to apply theory to practical application and design systems around first principles. Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics and Computational Thermodynamics. Experience in R&D environment designing and fabricating systems for growth of biological materials. Experience with sanitary design and aseptic technique including considerations of material selection, washdown fabrication, clean in place systems, etc. Competent hands on fabricator equally able to make and send a set of drawings to a local shop or fabricate components in-house when needed. Experience with environmental control and fabrication of incubation environments including Temperature, RH, Gas, and Air Flow control; Sensor selection, installation, data capture, and data analysis; basic industrial componentry including electrical such as HMIs, PLC controls, and SCADA; fluid systems such as chillers, circulating pumps, fans, and blowers; and CAD experience, preferably Solidworks.

Must possess exceptional organization skills; conscientious in the work place; attention to detail; independently driven; team player. This role requires the ability to communicate across functions.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

Background in fundamental biology, including experience in lab environment research and development, preferably on complex microbial ecosystems and individual organisms. Experience with experimental design and execution specific to biological sciences. Education and/or training in microbiology.

Research and Development Operator

Join our Pilot Plant team and be a part of the testing and operation of ground breaking processes for bio-fabricated materials. We are seeking a Research and Development Operator to help the team run experimental equipment and early stage processes in collaboration with our Research and Development team.

The Research and Development Operator will set-up, operate, document process and results, clean and troubleshoot pilot equipment with a focus on process and product quality as well as scalability. The role produces experimental material for testing and evaluation by Ecovative researchers and our commercial partners. Other responsibilities includes, assist with formulation of Standard Operating Procedures and best practices, collect and present data to help to optimize the production process under development, maintain tools and equipment, as well as 5S and daily improvement activities. The R&D Operator observes and follows all safety rules and procedures, including wearing required PPE, attends and contributes to team meetings and huddles, performs inspections and tests of material at various stages on the process to ensure quality and prevent contamination, and performs various clean-up and housekeeping activities. The role also assists with team building and process development and advises management of flow and planning opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

Experience in a quickly evolving and changing environment with an emphasis on quality controls, safety and cleanliness; sense of urgency; willingness to change and adapt to new processes, procedures or work requirements; ability to perform physical labor; awareness of product flow. Able to use pallet jack and other warehouse tools. Excellent team player as well as independently motivated to take pride in the work that needs to be done and remain focused on the task at hand. Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. Proven data collection and documentation skills; experience with computers and software, including but not limited to MS Excel; operation of experimental and early stage production equipment; knowledge of aseptic technique; demonstrated ability to solve basic math problems; exceptional organization skills; strong attention to detail; ability to communicate effectively; comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment; knowledge and interest in science.

Research and Development Lab Community Manager

Ecovative is seeking a collaborative, people and project management focused Research and Development Lab Community Manager to oversee and manage research and engineering experts that align with the company’s vision, mission, and customer deliverables.

Ecovative is a company creating next generation materials through mycelium biofabrication, We create better materials for everyday needs. We are working to develop technologies from mycelium that solve important problems, like animal agricultural and plastic pollution.

This role organizes the research team to ensure this success through regular collaboration with Technical Operations leadership and the team members executing the work. The R&D Manager is responsible for people management responsibilities including talent acquisition, development of training and on-boarding programs, and continuous development of individual and team contributors including research scientists, biologists, chemists, material scientists, and engineers. This role will assess and match personnel across active internal projects, as well as grant based and private commercial contracts and effectively organize project teams. A successful R&D Lab Community Manager at Ecovative will have proven expertise managing a large team with diverse skills as well as with project management best practices including charting progress and pipelines to meet existing and planned research projects. This role will have a high level of collaboration with other leaders within the technical operations, including quality, pilot scale, safety, and technology transfer.

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree in science or engineering related fields with a minimum of at least 5 years or more relevant experience in people and project management. Must possess broad technology product management and ideally within a bio or high tech research industry; seasoned management skills, including a desire to set people up for success and continuous development; strong familiarity with safety, sanitation, and quality aspects; well-developed project management skills; familiarity with development techniques such as Lean and Agile; strong analytical and reasoning abilities; ability to interact at all levels of an organization, including clients and partners; excellent writing and presentation skills; written work must be concise and persuasive; strong communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated experience overseeing multiple research projects.

Preferred qualifications: A combination of experience in both academia and private industry project management. Experience managing a science and engineering community within an R&D environment. Knowledge of fermentation or mycelium research. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and/or training.

Research Quality Assurance and Safety Manager

Join our leading edge Research and Development team as Research Quality Assurance and Safety Manager to oversee and maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) through system updates and improvements to ensure internal research and development processes result in accurate, efficient, and well documented information and actions. This role will work closely with the Lab community, R&D manufacturing, and the technology transfer team. This role will maintain SOPs across all groups, ensure appropriate staff training through standardized and continuously improved programs, and oversee policies for research documentation and review. The Research Quality Assurance and Safety Manager will review data and reports to ensure adherence to the research quality management plan including driving correction action plans and continuous process improvement. This role will also apply LEAN principles to lab and pilot manufacturing processes and spaces.

This role will be responsible for assigning laboratory cleaning, maintenance, and calibration responsibilities among the Research and Development department, as well as establishing process for maintaining laboratory inventory. In addition, the Research QA and Safety Manager will be the lab safety lead responsible for establishing process for maintenance of chemicals inventory, Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), chemical and biological (GMO) waste disposal, and dissemination of safety updates and messages.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree in science field with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience overseeing quality and safety within a technology development environment. Must possess exceptional organization skills; conscientious in the workplace; attention to detail; independently driven; team player. This role requires the ability to communicate across departments and lead system improvements coupled with communicating expectations and corrective action items to appropriate team members.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

Experience in the industrial biology or industrial food industry. Experience with QMS and living systems. Experience in data management systems and/or strong computer skills/ Chemistry background, through education or experience. Experience with OSHA and other regulatory policy. Familiarity with CGMP. Knowledge of LEAN practices and Six Sigma practices. Experience with new technology documentation and technology transfer.

How to Apply

Think that you’ll love Ecovative? Are you ready to work for a healthier planet? Tell us more about yourself!

Interested and qualified candidates should download an employment application here. You can either print it and mail it to Ecovative Human Resources with a resume and cover letter, or send everything electronically to Human Resources at jobs@ecovativedesign.com. We will review your qualifications and contact you if you are a potential match for the position. Thank you for your interest in joining our team!